'For by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not
of works, lest any man should boast.'Ephesians 2:8-9.
Our English word 'works' in verse 9 above comes from the Greek word 'ergon' and it means: that which one undertakes to do,
enterprise, undertaking, any thingaccomplished by hand, art, industry, an act, or deed (whether good or
bad). The above verses establish the firm foundation of faith as the only
requirement for salvation, while at the same time eliminating any possible
argument that our works or deeds are required or even necessary to bring
about our salvation.

Paul is quite adamant when it comes to salvation
by grace through faith alone. This idea of baptism being a requirement for
salvation has been a tug of war between two opposing views for years. No
matter what the proponents of baptismal regeneration claim as their 'proof
text' there is always one glaring fact that disproves their claim with
finality. The thief who died on his own cross while hanging next to our Lord
was not baptized, yet he ended up in paradise. Why? Because he recognized
Jesus as his Lord ' he believed. Attempting to ignore this truth and even
dismissing it because it occurred prior to Christ's death, burial, and
resurrection is beyond foolish.

'And Ananias went his
way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother
Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou
camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled
with the Holy Ghost.'Acts 9:17.
This verse makes it obvious that Paul himself was saved while on the road to
Damascus. Ananias refers to Paul as 'Brother Saul'. In this context, and
from the Greek, we know this reference is of a fellow believer. Then Ananias
mentions to Saul that Jesus had sent him that Saul might receive his sight
and be filled with the Holy Spirit, yet Saul/Paul had yet to be baptized.

Those who believe that baptism is necessary for
salvation must take verses out of context and build their doctrine around
them. As I've mentioned numerous times in past commentaries, taking verses
out of context will do little to help discern the truth of Scriptures.
Basically, what invariably results is confusion, division, and strife. The
best rule of thumb is when we come across a verse that seems a good
candidate for building doctrine we should always filter it through the rest
of Scripture. If there seems to be a contradiction it must be assumed we've
erred in our interpretation of the verse in question.

Let me be right up front with my readership. Any
interpretation which includes baptism or any other act of works or
deeds as being necessary for salvation is seriously flawed. It limits
Christ's finished work on the cross. Now let's begin with Mark chapter 16 as
this verse is most often trotted out and used as
the doctrine builder and 'proof text'
for those who attempt to place baptism in our path as a necessary
requirement for salvation. Remember, this verse doesn't say what these well
meaning folks want it to say.

'He that believeth and
is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.'Mark 16:16.
This verse has some glaring problems as a doctrinal builder for baptism
specifically as a requirement for salvation. Although the verse does teach
that belief is necessary for salvation, which is consistent with all other
verses that deal with salvation, it does not teach that baptism is required.
Let me explain. Right off we see there are two distinct phrases here. The
first, 'that believeth and is baptized shall be saved', mentions
both belief and baptism, but the second part of that verse, 'but he that believeth not shall be damned',
has no mention of baptism. Clearly belief is the determining factor as to
whether a person is saved or damned. In interpreting this passage correctly,
it is important to realize that while it tells us something about believers
who have been baptized (they are saved), it does not say anything about
believers who have not been baptized. In order for this verse to teach that
baptism is necessary for salvation, a third qualifying statement would have
had to be included, such as 'He who believes and is not baptized will be
condemned' or 'He who is not baptized will be condemned.' But, of course,
neither of these statements is included. As a matter of fact, we find no
such verse in the entire Bible. We never told that those who believe in
Jesus Christ but are not baptized are condemned. Condemnation only comes
through unbelief.

There are numerous verses where only belief and
faith are mentioned regarding salvation;
'He that believeth on him is not condemned'' John 3:18. 'He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life''John 3:36. 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.'John 5:24. 'But these are written, that ye might
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye
might have life through his name.'John 20:31. 'These things have I written unto you that
believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal
life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.'1 John 5:13.
Where is it mentioned in any of
these verses that baptism is a necessary part of the salvation process?
Conspicuous by its absence.

Throughout the Bible we see that at the point of faith or belief a believer
possesses all the promises and blessings of salvation 'But as many as received him, to them gave
he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:'
John 1:12. 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on me hath everlasting life.'John 6:47. 'To him give all the prophets witness, that
through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of
sins.'Acts 10:43. 'And by him all
that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be
justified by the law of Moses.'Acts 13:39. 'And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.'Acts 16:31. When we believe in
Jesus Christ we instantly have eternal life, (''He
that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting
life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto
life.'John 5:24)
and we are no longer under condemnation or judgment. We've passed from death
into life, and all before we were baptized.

If you believe in baptismal regeneration you might
want to consider who or what you are placing your faith and trust in. Is
faith being placed in the act of being baptized or on the finished work of
Christ on the cross? Whom or what is being trusted for salvation ' Jesus or
baptism? If your trust is in baptism
and Christ you're off base by one. Our salvation rests in
Christ alone. 'In whom we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace;'Ephesians 1:7.

Other verses that become 'proof text' for those
who wish to bind Christ's Ekklesia with the works/deeds for salvation
doctrine include 'The like figure
whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ:'
1 Peter 3:21. Here the Apostle Peter is careful to point
out that it isn't the actual water washing of baptism that saves us, but the
spiritual reality behind the immersion in water as he takes his readers back
to the flood of Noah explaining that eight souls were saved by water. God
provided water as a means of escape for those eight souls, and death for the
rest. But it was Noah's faith in God that brought about his salvation.

Countless passages of Scripture clearly teach that
salvation comes when one believes in the gospel, at which time he or she is
sealed 'In whom ye also trusted, after
that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also
after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,'Ephesians 1:13. Then, as soon
after justification (salvation) as possible, each born again believer should
be baptized. Yet we should never place our trust in baptism as regeneration
(re-birth), but in Christ alone.

Still others who believe in baptismal regeneration
often turn to Galatians 3:27 as one of their 'proof texts' for their
erroneous doctrinal views. In doing so they are ignoring the context of the
passage as well as the overall context of Scripture. 'For as many of you as have been baptized
into Christ have put on Christ.'Galatians 3:27. This verse mentions nothing about water baptism
but actually speaks of a spiritual baptism. Just another verse that's taken
completely out of context. The verse just prior to above verse says it all
'For ye are all the children of God by
faith in Christ Jesus.'
Galatians 3:26. Believing in Christ means we have placed our
faith in Him and Him alone for salvation, not in baptism or any other works
or good deeds.

In the following verses we are given a clear view
of how we become baptized into Christ. The Holy Spirit is the indwelling
presence which baptizes us into the body of Christ. 'For as the body is one, and hath many
members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so
also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether
we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made
to drink into one Spirit.'1
Corinthians 12:12-13.

There are other verses that are also used in an
attempt to elicit the 'proof text' for including baptism as a requirement
for salvation; all are easily disputed and found wanting. There is ample
scriptural proof that baptism is not a requirement for justification
(salvation). If it were, all the verses I've included in this commentary,
and many more I haven't placed here, would contain that extra works/deeds
requirement that baptism must be added to belief in Christ to obtain
salvation. But clearly that extra condition is not present. Study your
scriptures diligently and you will see our only requirement for salvation is
"willing to die for"
belief in the one God sent ' Jesus Christ.

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